Two hi-speed trains designed to cut travel time between Frankfurt and Paris almost in half as part of a European high-speed rail network made their first journey Friday, May 25th, - and ran 35 minutes late.

The journeys Friday were primarily symbolic. But when all is running smoothly, the new route will cut travel from Frankfurt to Paris from 6 hours, 15 munutes, to 3 1/2 hours, running at speeds of up to 320 km per hour, or 200 miles per hour.

France's newest high-speed line, the TGV East, opens June 10 with service to cities in Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Plans are to create two high-speed axes that meet in Strassbourg: one linking Paris, Munich, Vienna and Budapest; the other linking Hamburg, Frankfurt, Lyon and Barcelona.